PCN for failure to buy ticket. UPDATE - PCN cancelled

Weirdo109

At the weekend I parked in a Matalan car park in Romford and did not noticve it was a PAY and DISPLAY car park, I have been to several other Matalan stores non of which charge for parking.
Whn I returned to my vehicle I had a PCN on my windscreen.
The parking was £1 for 2 hours
The charge is £90, £45 if paid within 14 days.

I am fully aware it was my fault but I feel the charge is excessive.

Should I just pay...

Quentin

Read the newbies q & a sticky thread at the top of the forum on what to do.

Then come back with any questions. (Your question in the op is presumably rhetorical and you don't really want it answered!)

Weirdo109

Hi Quentin.

I have read the newbies post and I guess I was just asking for a bit of advice from folks on here whom have the experience.

As I said in the OP I know it's my fault but the charge is excessive in my opinion.

Due to the comments in the newbies thread stating This isn't a real parking ticket. Don't be scared. DO NOT PAY THE THING.

I was just enquiring if I should appeal with respect of not actually having a ticket.

bazster

The reasons for the fake fine are irrelevant, the advice in the newbies thread applies regardless.

And get over the idea that it's your fault. Most likely the signs in the car park were too small, too high up, too few, hidden in order to create entrapment zones, or any combination of the above. You already said you didn't see them so they can't have been that obvious.

Weirdo109

Hi Bazster

I and my two passengers didn't see them at the time.

But on review looking at google streetview there are two signs on entry to the car park that both say PAY and DISPLAY

Streetview

Redx

Weirdo109 wrote: »

I was just enquiring if I should appeal with respect of not actually having a ticket.

appeal anyway , regardless of circumstances

the newbies thread tells you what to do , when , and why , just follow it

bazster

Weirdo109 wrote: »

Hi Bazster

I and my two passengers didn't see them at the time.

But on review looking at google streetview there are two signs on entry to the car park that both say PAY and DISPLAY

Streetview

Yep, confirmed, much, much too small. Anyone driving into that car park would and should be concentrating on the manoeuvre they are making to leave the public highway, no-one's gonna read that tiny "Pay and Display" blurb at the top of the sign at the same time as making the turn, let alone the other crap that you'd actually have to stop and get out of the car in order to read.

Lose the guilt complex, it is unwarranted and not helping.

Weirdo109

Thanks for the helpful replies, really appreciated.

Weirdo109

UPDATE - PCN cancelled

I did as instructed by the NEWBIE thread and contacted the retailers customer service department.

After a few emails I got the reply I was hoping for.

My initial email to Matalan CS

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Dear Sir/Madam


I recently visited your Romford store on the 11th of July.
I entered the car park as I have at several other Matalan stores and proceeded into the store and made several purchases.
As you will see I have attached a receipt which shows my customer number, I am a regular shopper with Matalan.

Unfortunately when I returned to my vehicle I had a PENALTY CHARGE NOTICE on my windscreen.
Of the several other Matalan stores that I regularly or occasional visit I have never had to pay for parking and had not identified any indication of parking charges.

I can safely say as a loyal customer I was very disappointed to receive such a high charge notice for something that was a genuine mistake.
The charge is far in excess of the parking charge.

Could I ask that you act on this and could I also ask that you provide me with the email contact details of the store manager and the land owner.

I hope to be a continued customer of a store that myself and my wife enjoy being customers of.

I look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards

Mr R S

---

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Matalan CS final reply

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Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your email,

I have spoken to our Estates Department regarding this and they have confirmed that an email has been sent requesting cancellation of your Parking Charge Notice.

Please be advised you will not be contacted by our Estates Department.

If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind Regards

Emma Edwards
Matalan Customer Care Team

Tel: 03330 044444
Email: cs@matalanonline.co.uk

Quentin

They say that there will be no contact from the "estates dept" to you over this.


But their email just says they have "requested" cancellation.


You really need them to "confirm" its been cancelled.


Until you get proper confirmation, continue with your appeal etc as if the ticket is still "alive"

bazster

^^^^ This ^^^^^

Never assume it's over until the parking company tells you so in writing. They are devious scum and cannot be trusted.

Obviously the email from Matalan can form part of your appeal i.e. your principal has instructed you to cancel so please confirm that you have done so.